My Life in an Interracial Marriage and Family ~ It's been 25 years of fun; learning, growing, laughing & crying with each other. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Time Flies.....

Picture this…..your sixteen year old comes home and says, “I want to talk to you and I really want you to listen and think seriously about what I’m going to say.” What is the first thing that goes through your mind? I know…me too…..you hold your breath for a minute and hope for the best…right!? You just never know with teenagers! You just never know. So that’s what I did, I held my breath and I listened. The last thing that I expected to hear was, “I’ve decided to graduate high school a year early.” My eyes lit up; a little from relief and a little from shock, and then I said, “What…why?!” She said, “I’m done with high school and I’m really ready to move on with my future.” I said, “How on earth are you going to do this.” She said, “I knew you wouldn’t even listen if I didn’t have a plan, so I already have it all figured out. I’ve talked to everyone I need to talk to, and I know exactly what I need to do to get it done.” She knows me soooo well. Don’t just ask to do something…..know how it’s going to get done. How could I not listen after hearing that? Not only did she have a plan, she was beyond determined to make it happen. After I heard the plan, then we had to wait for Daddy to come home so we could talk to him about it. We make decisions as a family and this was big. Without going into every little detail….after much discussion, many phone calls to universities, and multiple meetings at the school…..it was a go!

Well, that was five months ago and here we are today…..our sixteen year old is graduating from high school exactly one year early. Yes, ONE YEAR EARLY! I can’t believe this day is here! How did this happen so fast?!? I’m not talking about the five months going by fast, I’m talking about our "baby" graduating from high school!

I know it’s a cliché, but I swear it was just yesterday that we were letting go of her little hands as she walked away to her classroom on the first day of kindergarten. Flash forward! This week we will be "letting go" of her "little hands" again as we watch “our baby” walk across the stage in her cap and gown to receive her high school diploma. Proud? That is an understatement! It’s all so surreal. Boy, did she earn this one! Big time! I have never seen such determination or hard work in my life. She knew it wasn’t’ going to be easy to finish school a year early, in fact she just told us the other day that she really wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to pull it off. But she did! Goal - set - done!

Tatiana has always had a mind of her own and has ALWAYS done things, shall we say, “her way,” but this….I’m speechless. It’s hard to truly express how proud we are of our beautiful daughter and all that she has accomplished in sixteen short years. Time truly does fly…..and very soon, so will she.

13 comments:

May I offer the highest Congratulations on Graduation to Tatiana and to you, her beloved parents, a tissue to wipe away the tears of pride as she ventures out and away from the nest. What a terrific job you have done with her and she will continue to make good decisions and follow-through with her p0lans. What a gal !~! Way to go Mom and Dad.

You are so sweet! Thank you so much. She has had some ups and downs through high school and has really come out on top! We are so proud of her! She is at dress rehearsal as we speak. Crazy! Surreal! Weird! Love that kid! thank you again for your sweet words!

Tatiana is truly beautiful inside and outside..and how lucky the two of you are to have such a wonderful daughter...BUT she could be who she is without the love and support and DNA of such wonderful parents as the two of you!! xoxoxoMelody

First off Amy is so beautiful. I see you in her more and more. Sorry, Jamie. Also, I know what a terrific set pf parents you are and how willing you are to listen and help Tatiana see her dreams fulfilled. Sometimes and I say that not lighty kids really do know what is best for them. She will have this year to explore, hone her dancing skills and then off to college she will go wiser and more aware of the world around her. She is truly a "good kid" and I am proud right along with you even though I have known you and your family for just under a year. Love to all of you.

Sis - you and Jamie are such incredible parents and although you are the "baby sister" I continually learn from you - on parenting and so many other things. Love you two to pieces! And Tatiana......girl, you rock!! Love you, love you, love you!

Congrats to both of you for having been blessed by the Holy Spirit of God to have such a wonderful, smart and goal minded daughter.

Congrats Tatiana on a job well done. You are giving other teens in your age group something to aspire to. Keep God in your life and all that you want to do will come true because with God ALL things are possible.

She is just like her Mother. Never gives up. Congratulations on Graduation. Both You and Tatiana are graduating. One from High School and the other one from being mother of a high school kid to a grown Freshmen in Collage. Both you and Jamie did a fantastic job with raising her. All 3 of you are Awesome. Take care Solrun.

I know I'm late to comment here, Amy, but I wanted to check in on you. I know this week has been tough, but as I send you love and condolences through your loss, I am also here celebrating Tatiana's amazing accomplishment. You are an extraordinary mother.xo B

Thank you all for your well wishes for Tatiana. Barb thank you for your sweet words regarding our loss. It was such a bittersweet weekend celebrating for Tatiana and grieving for Timmy. We didn't even tell her that Uncle Timmy was gone until the day after graduation. She had an amazing celebration and we celebrated with her. The excitment she was going through that day was truly beautiful. Thank you all! Hugs.